Pentax America???

coachteeter · 04-21-2010, 09:13 AM

What is going on with Pentax in the U.S.?

I've talked to a few shop owners and they say it's mostly in Canada, Europe etc. but not much left in America. What's the story?

infoomatic · 04-21-2010, 10:00 AM

At least not in Europe/Austria ... No shop here, most shops do carry Canon, Nikon, Sony and Olympus (really all of them, but no Pentax) :-/

lurchlarson · 04-21-2010, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by coachteeter

What is going on with Pentax in the U.S.?

I've talked to a few shop owners and they say it's mostly in Canada, Europe etc. but not much left in America. What's the story?

It seems that Pentax's strategy here in the states is to do mostly online sales. I think the industry as a whole is transitioning to an e-commerce model for better or worse.

I personally prefer to buy my gear online because it is WAY cheaper. Brick and Morter shops have greater overhead that they need to include in the price of their merchandise. However, for a lot of people out there they want to buy the camera in a store.

Pentax is on it's way back but it'll still be a few years before we see them in more stores. Frankly I think that Pentax really needs to start getting into major retailers like Best Buy and Target. The KX would absolutely KILL in those markets (as long as the sales people are properly educated).

MrApollinax · 04-21-2010, 11:46 AM

Are you talking online or in-store? Pentax has a presence in WalMart currently:

Walmart.com: Electronics: Digital Cameras: Digital SLR: All Cameras: Pentax

I've seen some Pentax gear in a couple stores as well.

bobmaxja · 04-21-2010, 11:57 AM

I can mention in Canada none of the big store have Pentax DSLR and the specialised photo shop are not competitive. Many of them do not carry any »Pentax product. Or when you talk to them about buying a Pentax product , they give you what I call the minimum service. It happen to me at 3 reputable shop in Montreal area.
Yes Pentax offer a 2 years guarantee in Canada but now the price is about 20% higher than USA. This is mostly related to the strong Canadian $

coachteeter · 04-21-2010, 12:37 PM

I would love to see Pentax have an in-store presence in Wal-Mart, Costco, Best Buy etc!!!!!!

I'm happy buying stuff online, but I know plenty of people just go buy whatever they see in the store.

macwylie · 04-21-2010, 01:16 PM

I think it is true that most camera stores don't carry Pentax in the US. I find the salespeople in most brick and mortar stores annoying, so I have done most of my research online here and at other digital photography sites instead of depending on a salesperson's take.

Of note Fry's Electronics in Wilsonville did carry the K7 and KX last time I was there several months ago. I was frankly astounded to see them sitting out there in the lineup for customers to handle, and I was immediately drawn to the Kx and started muttering aloud to myself "Wow, how did they do it, it is so small and light! Amazing!" At that point another customer approached me with a slightly anxious/disappointed look on his face and said to me "Caxxn has some light cameras too." By this point I had firmly clamped my hand down on the KX and started moving toward the exit but this set off the alarmed cable that was securely fastening the KX to the display stand. As soon as the alarm sounded the Caxxn user moved away swiftly and store personnel prepared to swarm.

lesmore49 · 04-21-2010, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by bobmaxja

I can mention in Canada none of the big store have Pentax DSLR and the specialised photo shop are not competitive.The specialised stores are very competitive out here in western Canada...they meet prices. Many of them do not carry any »Pentax product. Or when you talk to them about buying a Pentax product , they give you what I call the minimum service. It happen to me at 3 reputable shop in Montreal area.Quite different out here, product is there, displays on the shelves.
Yes Pentax offer a 2 years guarantee in Canada but now the price is about 20% higher than USA. This is mostly related to the strong Canadian $

MSRP is higher in Canada and it shouldn't be...it should be almost the price of Pentax equipment in the States as as the Cdn. $ is almost on par with the USA.

lurchlarson · 04-21-2010, 03:36 PM

Originally posted by macwylie

I think it is true that most camera stores don't carry Pentax in the US. I find the salespeople in most brick and mortar stores annoying, so I have done most of my research online here and at other digital photography sites instead of depending on a salesperson's take.

Of note Fry's Electronics in Wilsonville did carry the K7 and KX last time I was there several months ago. I was frankly astounded to see them sitting out there in the lineup for customers to handle, and I was immediately drawn to the Kx and started muttering aloud to myself "Wow, how did they do it, it is so small and light! Amazing!" At that point another customer approached me with a slightly anxious/disappointed look on his face and said to me "Caxxn has some light cameras too." By this point I had firmly clamped my hand down on the KX and started moving toward the exit but this set off the alarmed cable that was securely fastening the KX to the display stand. As soon as the alarm sounded the Caxxn user moved away swiftly and store personnel prepared to swarm.

Really? I've NEVER seen Pentax stuff in that Fry's. Granted I haven't gone there in a long time. They keep selling me broken stuff.

MrApollinax · 04-21-2010, 04:23 PM

Originally posted by coachteeter

I would love to see Pentax have an in-store presence in Wal-Mart, Costco, Best Buy etc!!!!!!

I'm happy buying stuff online, but I know plenty of people just go buy whatever they see in the store.

Walmart has some stuff in store. I've only seen Pentax gear available from Costco.com never in-store. However I just noticed yesterday that my local Costco has started carrying Sony Alphas in addition to Canon and Nikon.

bayareahdv · 04-21-2010, 04:43 PM

San Jose Camera & Video - Home has all of the Pentax's Da lenses in stock at about market price (this is not good news for my lba lol they are like 10 miles from my house) ... I have also seen the k-x at frys and best buy ...

flyer · 04-21-2010, 05:07 PM

Originally posted by bobmaxja

I can mention in Canada none of the big store have Pentax DSLR and the specialised photo shop are not competitive. Many of them do not carry any »Pentax product. Or when you talk to them about buying a Pentax product , they give you what I call the minimum service. It happen to me at 3 reputable shop in Montreal area.
Yes Pentax offer a 2 years guarantee in Canada but now the price is about 20% higher than USA. This is mostly related to the strong Canadian $

Time to look again.
Simon's camera, L.L.Lozeau, C.D.M. Photo and a few I forgot the name, all carry Pentax cameras, and they are only a stone throw away from your place. I never have problems finding Pentax gear in Montréal.

luke0622 · 04-21-2010, 06:11 PM

I think Pentax is doing fairly well on their marketing, but still needs to have a few key improvements...
K-x packaging deals are always sold out on Bestbuy.com.
I think they need to work with BestBuy for some kind of deal, once Best Buy stores start to display the Pentax K-x or K-7, I think Canon and Nikon should be scared; and there are still a lot of old timers don't know that they can mount all those K-mount lenses on the new DSLRs...

bobmaxja · 04-21-2010, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by flyer

Time to look again.
Simon's camera, L.L.Lozeau, C.D.M. Photo and a few I forgot the name, all carry Pentax cameras, and they are only a stone throw away from your place. I never have problems finding Pentax gear in Montréal.

I visited Simon , Photo Laplante and Lozeau. When I mention I want to buy Pentax, they all look if I was from outer space. Yes they have the equipment but were not really interested in giving me alot of details. I have to say to them I have glass then they start to understand that I really want Pentax but why giving service to somebody who seem to know more than them.
I want to have the feeling of the K-7 and after the K-X. At Laplante , I bring my old lense to see if they work. It ' work . I said to the guy , OK will you be there this weekend, I want to show to my wife. Eh said, any body can serve you!!!
Wow. When I ask any promotion coming? His answer, we have some in Canon and Nikon!!!!

Simian Summit · 04-21-2010, 06:23 PM

Originally posted by flyer

Time to look again.
Simon's camera, L.L.Lozeau, C.D.M. Photo and a few I forgot the name, all carry Pentax cameras, and they are only a stone throw away from your place. I never have problems finding Pentax gear in Montréal.

I agree, I see the same thing in southern Ontario. At Henry's, the photographic mainstay, you can get most of what you want, same at Bell'Arte the more convenient store to where I work. I even popped into Futureshop today to pick up a point-and-shoot for my wife (Canon) and they had the K-X and a couple of Optio models.

04-21-2010, 09:13 AM	#1
coachteeter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 206	Pentax America??? What is going on with Pentax in the U.S.? I've talked to a few shop owners and they say it's mostly in Canada, Europe etc. but not much left in America. What's the story?

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04-21-2010, 10:00 AM	#2
infoomatic Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austria Photos: Gallery Posts: 255	At least not in Europe/Austria ... No shop here, most shops do carry Canon, Nikon, Sony and Olympus (really all of them, but no Pentax) :-/

04-21-2010, 11:16 AM	#3
lurchlarson Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oregon, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 681	Originally posted by coachteeter What is going on with Pentax in the U.S.? I've talked to a few shop owners and they say it's mostly in Canada, Europe etc. but not much left in America. What's the story? It seems that Pentax's strategy here in the states is to do mostly online sales. I think the industry as a whole is transitioning to an e-commerce model for better or worse. I personally prefer to buy my gear online because it is WAY cheaper. Brick and Morter shops have greater overhead that they need to include in the price of their merchandise. However, for a lot of people out there they want to buy the camera in a store. Pentax is on it's way back but it'll still be a few years before we see them in more stores. Frankly I think that Pentax really needs to start getting into major retailers like Best Buy and Target. The KX would absolutely KILL in those markets (as long as the sales people are properly educated).

04-21-2010, 11:46 AM	#4
MrApollinax Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,529	Are you talking online or in-store? Pentax has a presence in WalMart currently: Walmart.com: Electronics: Digital Cameras: Digital SLR: All Cameras: Pentax I've seen some Pentax gear in a couple stores as well.

04-21-2010, 11:57 AM	#5
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	I can mention in Canada none of the big store have Pentax DSLR and the specialised photo shop are not competitive. Many of them do not carry any »Pentax product. Or when you talk to them about buying a Pentax product , they give you what I call the minimum service. It happen to me at 3 reputable shop in Montreal area. Yes Pentax offer a 2 years guarantee in Canada but now the price is about 20% higher than USA. This is mostly related to the strong Canadian $

04-21-2010, 12:37 PM	#6
coachteeter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 206 Original Poster	I would love to see Pentax have an in-store presence in Wal-Mart, Costco, Best Buy etc!!!!!! I'm happy buying stuff online, but I know plenty of people just go buy whatever they see in the store.

04-21-2010, 01:16 PM	#7
macwylie New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: OREGON Photos: Albums Posts: 9	I think it is true that most camera stores don't carry Pentax in the US. I find the salespeople in most brick and mortar stores annoying, so I have done most of my research online here and at other digital photography sites instead of depending on a salesperson's take. Of note Fry's Electronics in Wilsonville did carry the K7 and KX last time I was there several months ago. I was frankly astounded to see them sitting out there in the lineup for customers to handle, and I was immediately drawn to the Kx and started muttering aloud to myself "Wow, how did they do it, it is so small and light! Amazing!" At that point another customer approached me with a slightly anxious/disappointed look on his face and said to me "Caxxn has some light cameras too." By this point I had firmly clamped my hand down on the KX and started moving toward the exit but this set off the alarmed cable that was securely fastening the KX to the display stand. As soon as the alarm sounded the Caxxn user moved away swiftly and store personnel prepared to swarm.

04-21-2010, 03:07 PM	#8
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,350	Originally posted by bobmaxja I can mention in Canada none of the big store have Pentax DSLR and the specialised photo shop are not competitive.The specialised stores are very competitive out here in western Canada...they meet prices. Many of them do not carry any »Pentax product. Or when you talk to them about buying a Pentax product , they give you what I call the minimum service. It happen to me at 3 reputable shop in Montreal area.Quite different out here, product is there, displays on the shelves. Yes Pentax offer a 2 years guarantee in Canada but now the price is about 20% higher than USA. This is mostly related to the strong Canadian $ MSRP is higher in Canada and it shouldn't be...it should be almost the price of Pentax equipment in the States as as the Cdn. $ is almost on par with the USA.

04-21-2010, 03:36 PM	#9
lurchlarson Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oregon, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 681	Originally posted by macwylie I think it is true that most camera stores don't carry Pentax in the US. I find the salespeople in most brick and mortar stores annoying, so I have done most of my research online here and at other digital photography sites instead of depending on a salesperson's take. Of note Fry's Electronics in Wilsonville did carry the K7 and KX last time I was there several months ago. I was frankly astounded to see them sitting out there in the lineup for customers to handle, and I was immediately drawn to the Kx and started muttering aloud to myself "Wow, how did they do it, it is so small and light! Amazing!" At that point another customer approached me with a slightly anxious/disappointed look on his face and said to me "Caxxn has some light cameras too." By this point I had firmly clamped my hand down on the KX and started moving toward the exit but this set off the alarmed cable that was securely fastening the KX to the display stand. As soon as the alarm sounded the Caxxn user moved away swiftly and store personnel prepared to swarm. Really? I've NEVER seen Pentax stuff in that Fry's. Granted I haven't gone there in a long time. They keep selling me broken stuff.

04-21-2010, 04:23 PM	#10
MrApollinax Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,529	Originally posted by coachteeter I would love to see Pentax have an in-store presence in Wal-Mart, Costco, Best Buy etc!!!!!! I'm happy buying stuff online, but I know plenty of people just go buy whatever they see in the store. Walmart has some stuff in store. I've only seen Pentax gear available from Costco.com never in-store. However I just noticed yesterday that my local Costco has started carrying Sony Alphas in addition to Canon and Nikon.

04-21-2010, 04:43 PM	#11
bayareahdv Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: California Photos: Albums Posts: 55	San Jose Camera & Video - Home has all of the Pentax's Da lenses in stock at about market price (this is not good news for my lba lol they are like 10 miles from my house) ... I have also seen the k-x at frys and best buy ...

04-21-2010, 05:07 PM	#12
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	Originally posted by bobmaxja I can mention in Canada none of the big store have Pentax DSLR and the specialised photo shop are not competitive. Many of them do not carry any »Pentax product. Or when you talk to them about buying a Pentax product , they give you what I call the minimum service. It happen to me at 3 reputable shop in Montreal area. Yes Pentax offer a 2 years guarantee in Canada but now the price is about 20% higher than USA. This is mostly related to the strong Canadian $ Time to look again. Simon's camera, L.L.Lozeau, C.D.M. Photo and a few I forgot the name, all carry Pentax cameras, and they are only a stone throw away from your place. I never have problems finding Pentax gear in Montréal.

04-21-2010, 06:11 PM	#13
luke0622 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ankeny, Iowa Photos: Gallery Posts: 388	I think Pentax is doing fairly well on their marketing, but still needs to have a few key improvements... K-x packaging deals are always sold out on Bestbuy.com. I think they need to work with BestBuy for some kind of deal, once Best Buy stores start to display the Pentax K-x or K-7, I think Canon and Nikon should be scared; and there are still a lot of old timers don't know that they can mount all those K-mount lenses on the new DSLRs...

04-21-2010, 06:22 PM	#14
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	Originally posted by flyer Time to look again. Simon's camera, L.L.Lozeau, C.D.M. Photo and a few I forgot the name, all carry Pentax cameras, and they are only a stone throw away from your place. I never have problems finding Pentax gear in Montréal. I visited Simon , Photo Laplante and Lozeau. When I mention I want to buy Pentax, they all look if I was from outer space. Yes they have the equipment but were not really interested in giving me alot of details. I have to say to them I have glass then they start to understand that I really want Pentax but why giving service to somebody who seem to know more than them. I want to have the feeling of the K-7 and after the K-X. At Laplante , I bring my old lense to see if they work. It ' work . I said to the guy , OK will you be there this weekend, I want to show to my wife. Eh said, any body can serve you!!! Wow. When I ask any promotion coming? His answer, we have some in Canon and Nikon!!!!

04-21-2010, 06:23 PM	#15
Simian Summit Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hamilton Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 146	Originally posted by flyer Time to look again. Simon's camera, L.L.Lozeau, C.D.M. Photo and a few I forgot the name, all carry Pentax cameras, and they are only a stone throw away from your place. I never have problems finding Pentax gear in Montréal. I agree, I see the same thing in southern Ontario. At Henry's, the photographic mainstay, you can get most of what you want, same at Bell'Arte the more convenient store to where I work. I even popped into Futureshop today to pick up a point-and-shoot for my wife (Canon) and they had the K-X and a couple of Optio models.